Manus Island riot fears as asylum-seekers arm themselves with knives ahead of closure
MANUS Island asylum-seekers are arming themselves with knives, rocks and makeshift furniture ahead of their forced removal from the detention centre when it closes today.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MANUS Island asylum-seekers are arming themselves with knives, rocks and makeshift furniture ahead of their forced removal from the detention centre when it closes today.
Authorities and staff are increasingly concerned about an outbreak of violence today, with The Daily Telegraph learning that transferees have said they “will use anything” including rocks, tables and chairs if relocation is attempted.
It comes as the first photographs of the new accommodation that will house the refugees have been obtained.
It shows the East Lorengau Refugee Transit Centre, where refugees will be transferred, and Hillside Haus, where people found not to be genuine refugees will await deportation.
The photographs show clean, newly renovated living facilities.
There are 591 people in Manus Island regional processing centre, 74 in the transit centre, 34 have settled into the PNG community and 15 have expressed an interest in relocating to Nauru.
It is understood refugees at the transit centre will be provided with an allowance by Papua New Guinean authorities but will have to shop and cook for themselves, while health care facilities will be available on site.
Those waiting in Hillside Haus will continue to have catered food, but will not receive any allowance, and will have to travel to East Lorengau for healthcare.